What is “Masonic Intercourse” many Masons ask?
The definition can mean many things and different authors have given their
opinion as to the actual purpose of having it in our rituals. In “The Meaning
of Masonic Obligation”, PGM R.V. Harris of Nova Scotia defines Masonic
Intercourse as, “…to refrain from Masonic Intercourse with outsiders, and with
irregular Freemasons and to discountenance all irregularities and
immoralities.” Well, this is still not clear enough to define or determine
its meaning. The web-site, “The Beacon Light of Freemasonry”, gives another
definition which states, “Masonic communication, or as it is alternately
called, Masonic Intercourse, involves any type of communication involving
sharing the secrets of masonry. Primarily, that is sitting in a tyled lodge
session, which is any type of Masonic meeting where the general public is NOT
allowed, or where the qualification for attendance is being a Mason.”

The truth is that we must clearly and truly
understand the difference in what we call “Masonry” vs. what some want to
create out of it. There are two forms of Masonic Intercourse. There is the
verbal (exoteric) which we are aware of, but many are not aware of non-verbal
(esoteric) communication. The verbal is common understanding, as we would
clearly understand that if you communicate with a clandestine (Bogus) Mason
about the modes of recognition like passwords, grips and signs, you are in
strict violation of your obligation. You can communicate verbally limited
aspect of esoteric messages via words, but not many are Masonically educated
enough to reach that level. Now, what we fail to realize that there is such a
thing as non-verbal communication (esoteric). This is where some lose sight of
the meaning of communication. Non-Verbal
communication is a process by which information is exchanged between
individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, behavior, dress or
gathering. It is to be in sync with one another for a common goal. It is
like a tuxedo ball. Everyone is in sync until someone enters with jeans and
sneakers. As the jeans and sneaker guest walks in, a communication
automatically is transmitted via a non-verbal transmission. He is
automatically out of place due to his appearance. Non-Verbal communication
does not always reveal a negative existence and is hidden in its esoteric
engagement. When we do not realize we are communicating or engaged in
communication, we are blind of the effects it can cause. Masonic Intercourse
is an exchange of verbal and non-verbal communication between parties whether
you are communicating with legal Masons or not. Being invited to, accepting
and attending in your Masonic regalia at a function such as an official Divine
Service or St. John’s Day from a so-called Masonic group that is clandestine
and irregular is Masonic Intercourse.

In
Prince Hall Masonry, we have functions that we consider Masonic in nature
that are called, “Divine
Services, Prince Hall Day, and St. John’s Day” to name a few. In these
events, we are clothed in formal Masonic regalia. We do so in reverence to
our founder “Brother Prince Hall” and to reflect the struggles this
organization has gone through and how we have evolved throughout two
centuries. Most importantly, when our leadership is clothed in Masonic attire,
we are representing the craft. When your Grand Master or his representative
at anytime wears his jewel and apron, he is representing “Grand Lodge”. It is
an official act. This is a form of “communication or communicating”.
Communicating in the above fashion is clearly Masonic in nature as we are
dressed in the order of business for the purpose of an official Masonic
gathering. It is Masonic intercourse. In the above events, we must clearly
recognize a few things.

Although no modes of recognition are
displayed, through the very act of presenting ourselves in full regalia, we
are communicating to each other the respect of accepting each other as equal
(i.e. a Peer).

Although non-Masons are allowed, it is a
form of education to advocate unity, love and admiration to one another
within the fraternity. However, if a clandestine Mason (Bogus) is dressed
the same, our act of acceptance is considered “irregular”, and that is only
if we accept them as peers.

We are a distinct organization different
from college fraternities, social organizations, political parties and most
important, the average citizen.

Because of the struggles, of our path finder
within this organization, we agreed to follow our progenitor’s path.

Lastly because of our rich history and
knowing who we are and where we came from, that we will not devalue our
institution by sympathizing and recognizing what our ritual and
constitutions recognize as clandestine and irregular. That is, so-called
Masons that belong to groups that cannot prove that they came from a
competent Grand Body that empowered them to work.

Let us investigate what is “Clandestine”? Macoy’s
Encyclopedia describes clandestine Lodges as “Lodges which have been formed by
avaricious Freemasons, who take money from those people who have no idea of
the difference between warranted Regularly Constituted Grand Lodge and one
that is not regularly constituted.” History demonstrates that many of the
bodies that call themselves Masonic in African American communities, were
organizations established by suspended or expelled Masons. Why are we today
placing our guards down against groups that have not come via the same regular
or similar way as those who are known to be regular?

Their threat to legitimate Prince Hall
Freemasonry is threefold:

They deprive our lodges of potential good
recruits, and deprive those men of the opportunity to become genuine Masons;

Many of them bring Masonry into disrepute in
the eyes of the general public by conducting degree mills for profit; and

Their very existence, and often their
conduct, cause confusion among those mainstream Masons who assume that all
Blacks calling themselves Masons are of Prince Hall Affiliation, and also
among some Prince Hall Affiliated Masons who are tempted to place racial
solidarity ahead of legitimacy of origin and global Masonic acceptance.

This is not to say that Prince Hall Grand
Lodges do not have their problems, however, here in New York, we have a record
within our proceedings and recorded transactions via committees that show the
complications we have had in our state, due to Bogus and Clandestine Masonry.

Let us get back to “Masonic Intercourse” as
this is our main focus and in truth really define the crux of the matter. In
true Universal Freemasonry the pigment of a man’s skin has never been a
signature of regularity, nor gives him the same rights as a member of a
legally established Masonic Fraternity. However, in the history of
Freemasonry in the United States, the concept of race has reared its ugly head
and, has been a barrier to the acceptance of men of color, in particular
“Prince Hall Masons”. Nothing is more sensitive than a subject that touches
on racial lines especially when speaking of our own community. We must not
confuse our various relationships and associations with individuals, social
clubs, political organizations, college fraternities, or churches, to name a
few, with Universal Freemasonry. Often times we believe that anything that
looks like us are us. This is not always true. In my opinion, we do a severe
disservice to ourselves and our organization by communicating with Bogus
Masons in the act of accepting them as our peers by being fully regaled in
Masonic gatherings that we hold dear to our organization. There is nothing
wrong in educating them of history and our organization, as many of them are
good timber and practice Masonry in their hearts, but we must understand that
there is a difference between “Masonry and Freemasonry”. Freemasonry is the
institution and it has specific rules found in our Constitution and Masonry is
the original nature of the Universe.

We do not realize that the moment you enter a
gathering in your esoteric garb known as gloves, apron, and jewels with a
clandestine Mason, you have just committed Masonic Intercourse whether you
initiated it or not.

Some of these so-called Grand Lodges are
considered “Spurious” in nature, because Spurious can be considered bodies of
illegitimate birth, outwardly similar or corresponding to something without
having its genuine qualities. It is a so-called Masonic entity that falsifies
or erroneously attributes its origin to some non-existing Masonic source. It
is deceitful in nature. Remember, if a thing is false, it cannot be a fact in
its representation. The only fact is that a spurious Lodge is a false Masonic
body. The word “spurious” was used in England as far back as 1824 when they
considered lodge No. 557 spurious. This spurious Lodge met at an inn called,
“The White Bear” and thereafter “The Royal Hotel”. Many who are spurious or
even part of a spurious body do not know the origin of his Grand Lodge/Lodge,
and are hoodwinked with false pretense that he has joined a respectful
organization thinking that its main objective and cause is for the upliftment
of humanity, never noticing fraud or deceit. Many good Men have been sucked
into these organizations by way of ignorance. They, along with clandestine
and irregular bodies, have often used the false history of Masonry and in
particular the history of Prince Hall Freemasonry. They have used the mud
throwing of calling us paupers of charters, beggars of recognition, and even
calling Prince Hall Masons racist of their own kind, not knowing that although
an organization with a make-up of predominately men of color, we have hundreds
of white Brothers in our ranks.

On
June 6, 1956, M.:W.: G.M. L Ernest DuBois in his address under Clandestine
Masonry went on record as per the minutes of the 111th Annual Grand
Communication:

“As like the two (2) previous subjects, this
too has received a considerable amount of attention, not only in this
jurisdiction, but throughout the Country by White and Negro Masons alike.

Our White Brethren have seen and read enough
about Prince Hall masonry to the extent that they are fairly well convinced
of our legitimacy and while they do not accept us as a group, they do, to a
great extent, accept us as individual Masons, and as a whole do not consider
us a threat to the Masonic Institution, just so long as we do not conduct
ourselves and our activities in such a manner that it will bring reproach
upon the Masonic Fraternity. This is an indication, in my opinion, based
upon conversations with a few of our outstanding White Brethren that like
integration, recognition by this group is on the way, but do not get the
impression from these remarks that, like prosperity many years ago, it is
just around the corner. This is far from the case, but there is a great
interest in this subject on the part of our White Brethren and I hope and
pray that if and when such recognition is accorded all Prince Hall Masons,
we will be ready to accept it and will be able to stand shoulder to shoulder
with Brother Masons throughout the World. Much depends upon the manner in
which we conduct our affairs and the interest we take in, not only our
Lodges, but our share of the community responsibilities.

“Several months ago your Grand Master
addressed a communication to Grand Master Amos T. Hall of Oklahoma, and the
President of the Grand Master’s Conference, in which was suggested that a
committee composed of representatives of the Grand Master’s Conference,
together with representatives of the Concordant Bodies, and the Shrine,
convene for the purpose of discussing the subject of clandestine Masonry and
suggest ways and means by which this
great evil might be
over-come. Several Jurisdictions have taken these groups into court and
decisions in favor of the Prince Hall Jurisdictions have been handed down,
but at a great expense financially. It was in my mind that if a concerted
effort could be made, sponsored by the Grand Lodges and National
organizations, a much more effective job might be done and in a much shorter
space of time. In due time Grand Master Hall answered my communication and
informed me that he appreciated the suggestions and would discuss it further
at the Grand Master’s Conference.”

“While attending the conference the week of
May 20th, Brother Hall informed me that about the same time he
received my communication, he was the recipient of a like communication from
the Sovereign Grand Commander, II. George W. Crawford, inviting him to come
to the City of Philadelphia prior to the Supreme Council Session to discuss
this matter with him and his officers.”

“It gives me pleasure to report to this M.W.
Prince Hall Grand Lodge that definite steps have been taken in this
direction. The Officers of the Supreme Council, together with the Imperial
Council of the Shrine, have pledged their support to the Grand Master’s
Conference to assist in combating clandestine Masonry. President Hall has
been empowered by the Conference members to select a committee to work with
the aforementioned groups for the purpose of study; the securing of data
relative to clandestine masonry and in due time make recommendations as to
how best to handle the situation. This, I believe, is a step in the right
direction- at least a more concrete step than ever taken before and another
indication that the entire Prince Hall Family is going to pull together
toward one end. And I am just conceited enough to feel that New York State
has had a small part in a great undertaking.”

I believe that our Brothers of the past had a
better understanding of what was happening around them and focused on the good
of the organization. Today, we have leadership who accepts Bogus Masons as
their peers and recognize them as Masons only because the majority look like
Prince Hall Masons in complexion, wear Masonic paraphernalia, meet in
buildings labeled “Masonic Temple” or hold Masonic titles. Is this a good and
wise reason we should accept and embrace these organizations as “Masonic”?

In my article, “Education For A People
Unaware”, I stated:

“Regularity is a big question for most. Many
have no clue what it really means. In the search for truth, we must
investigate all the parameters that make up the substance of that which is
to be considered for evaluation. Certain standards must be used for
guidelines in which to measure against the intended interest of one’s
choice, whether it’s an object or viewpoint. Freemasonry has been
established centuries ago by Ancient Landmarks, Ancient Charges,
Constitutions, and many unwritten laws. Taking basic attributes that make up
regularity such as establishing Lodges from a “competent jurisdiction
empowering it to work”, or abiding by the ancient charges in which most
follow Anderson’s Constitution, you will see that many Lodges or Grand
Lodges which erected them-selves illegally did not follow these basic rules.
Lodges in order to be regular must have been established by a regular Grand
Lodge. It must be truly independent and self-governing with undisputed
authority over Craft Masonry. Freemasons under its jurisdiction must be Men
having no Masonic Intercourse with Lodges, which admit Women or Clandestine
Masons. You must believe in a Supreme Being, and take the obligation over a
Volume of Sacred Laws. The three great lights must be displayed with the
Square and Compasses, and finally to follow the tenets of Freemasonry to
name a few.”

Most rituals of the day have some clause or
state that you will not be at the in****, pas**** or rai**** of a clandestine
Mason, so why are we going to joint events in our Masonic dress with
individual that you are prohibited from witnessing their in****, pas**** and
rai****? How can I be obligated to not be present at their initiation and
advancement, but recognize them by being in function with our esoteric
clothing representing Masonry? I do not know one man that can dress up as a
Police Officer and think he can arrest crooks just because he has a police
uniform, gun and badge and impersonates a cop. You can save hundreds of lives
by impersonating a Doctor and practicing medicine without a license does not
make you a physician. Making a certificate or degree on your computer does
not mean you have a Masters like the many so-called charters that bogus Masons
produce. Some even get a charter from the state and confuse the public and
regular Masons as if a state charter is equal to a Masonic one.

In Massachusetts in 1903, a decision was made
about John G. Jones, an attorney in Illinois and member of the MWPHGL of
Illinois after his expulsion that:

The MWPHGL of The State of Massachusetts, does
not and will not affiliate with or in any way recognize Masonically, any
person affiliating with, recognizing or in any way having Masonic Intercourse
with John G. Jones, recently expelled from Masonry by the MWPHGL of Illinois,
or with those with whom he is in affiliation.” This was signed by GM William
H. Jackson, and attested by Benjamin C. Hazel, Grand Secretary”.

In New York, In accordance with the foregoing
communication, Most Worshipful Edward V.C. Eato at the time Grand Master of
the MWPHGL of New York issued an edict warning the Lodges and their members
not to have any Masonic Intercourse with Jones or his representatives under
pain of punishment for contumacy.

Here is one example of a Prince Hall Mason
being expelled from Masonry and today, the Grand Lodges that he created and
their splinter groups have disguised themselves as legitimate bodies. Why are
some of our leadership engage in fellowshipping instead of educating these
groups of their origin?

On June 9, 1961 (116th Annual Grand
Communication) Report by the Committee on Clandestine Masonry.

“As secretary of the Committee on Clandestine
Masonry, I wish to make the following report: A Bogus Mason is a Bogus
Mason. Perhaps a ‘faker’ is more appropriate term. For generations
particularly during the second half of the nineteenth century deceptions,
hoaxes, and ruses have been prostituted upon Men of Color in the fair name
of legitimate Freemasonry. These would be Masons, or better styled, Masonic
pirates, have worked there will of misbrands as they see fit, not
recognizing the fact nor caring to that an entire race of people were being
victimized, retarded and delimited, and very much so.”

“Some perpetrators may indulge in this
fraudulent practice for the pure enchantment and needed treat it affords,
others, for the monetary gains, power and self-esteem, it would rightly
offer. Whatever the reason, it effects perversion and confusion. Masonry
among Men of Color is made impure and the defiled stream reeks with a
regurgitating stench of impurities and foreign bodies.”

“To be sure, deception and hoaxes have
prevailed in the character of men from earliest times. It would seem to be
innate within the personality of some. “Skim milk masquerades as cream,”
and someone or some group is the unwitting recipient. The Old Testament
tells the story of Jacob’s calculated deception, and also his dupe, to which
he in turn was subjected (Genesis: chapter 27-29). From Homer, various
Greek plays, medieval romances, and the deceived appear. Ellery Queen’s
famous mysteries not to be excluded.”

“It should be perfectly clear in the mind as
a consequence why some Negroes have entered and prospered in the business of
bogus Masonry and why some individuals are ready made dupes of same: the
cultural gap, lack of education and appreciative understanding, and the
complexities surrounding a myriad of problems, also, imposed restraints
moreover, encourage such malpractices. Such is the position of the American
Negro and his continued role in Freemasonry, in a new decade, dedicated to
Human Rights and the Betterment of Humankind.”

“At our 113th Grand Communication
(1958), recognizing an indisputable “urgent need,” Grand Lodge did empower a
special committee, the expressed purpose of which was to reduce and totally
eliminate clandestine bodies and their fragments.”

“The first concern or object of this
Committee was to identify the field. This having been done, it became
necessary to determine believable procedure targeted to eliminate bogus
bodies operating within our Grand Jurisdiction. Realizing that a Masonic
millennium among “Men of Color” would not occur overnight, we took the
immediate as well as the long view of our mandate. All objective evaluation
of the prevailing situation leads us to believe that we had a long, tedious,
and perhaps costly fight on our hands. This and all else, in order to rid
Negro Masonry of this blight, and prevent future defiling of the pure
stream.”

“A comprehensive and imaginative program was
subsequently developed and formulated. In this fight, the Committee was
firmly convinced that, every permissible tool in any permissible way should
be used to advance our interest.”

“In the process of shoring up our court case,
and future cases notwithstanding, a large amount of basic research became
readily apparent. At first, we may have been under some form of
self-delusion, as relative to our so-called secure position. However, we
were abruptly confronted with bald reality as we attempted to olympicly wade
through seven “examinations before trial.” What primary evidence we lacked,
what points we were completely uneducated upon, were enough to give us
pause. Nonetheless, at this time, we can report that our position has been
advanced.”

“In conclusion, I wish to affirm the fact
that, The Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York must commit the full strength
of its great capacity, in order to realize its object. The full energy and
vitality of the Craft is imperative. It is hoped that at the 117th
Grand Communication, we can report that everything is in progress.”

Fraternally yours,

Harold A. Wilson, Secretary

Committee on Clandestine Masonry

1961

There will be more information when I complete
my book, “Bogus Masonic Outfits” “The Danger to Prince Hall Masonry”

REFERENCES

The Meaning of Masonic Obligation by PGM R.V.
Harris of Nova Scotia

The Beacon Light of Freemasonry

The Fight Against Clandestine Masonry by
Ezekiel M. Bey, FPS

Why The Word Bogus by Ezekiel M. Bey, FPS

Macoy Encyclopedia

New York’s 116th Annual Grand
Communication Report by the Committee on Clandestine Masonry